Wham Bam, Busted Clavicle…Doh!

[Buffalo Bill]

Yes! pulled out from the first corner, nailed it as i leaned over left, got about 100 ft, 30 mph? Rear tire slipped out on a seam, them grabbed, bike jumped back the other way and down hard I went on my right side. Wham! Like a real hard NFL tackle, on pavement.
Couple nice guys stopped right away and helped me. Real heros! I asked them to lift my bike and roll it over to the sidewalk, and wait a minute for me so I could assess how bad I was hurt. My right hip was painful, but my right shoulder was getting worse as time went by.
So I asked them to roll my bike down to my house, because it was just 200 ft away, and they did. I had to stop a couple times and walk slow, I carried my helmet with my right hand, with the busted clavicle, right it was still not so painful, and I really couldn't tell how bad it was.
The guys were great, wouldn't give up their names, they didn't know each other either.
A good lady friend took me to the Hosp. I got x-rayed, but I need to go back tomorrow for the bone setting.
All my fault, nailing the throttle like I did, and not yet used to the power after the winter. It was my GSX750F, the cam came on real good, a seam snake bit me.
I need to start a post for the walkin' wounded, and ask questions about how to get healed.
Bill

[FreshStart]

sorry to hear man, get well soon. work hard at the physical torturist, it pays of when it comes to healing time.

[7981GS]

WOW! Sorry to hear that you got hurt.
Glad to hear that there are still some nice people out there willing to help you out.

Daniel

[wkmpt]

That sucks. At least it's early enough that you won't miss much if any of the full riding season.

FWIW, my advice, really load up on the calcium and vitamin D, to help things knit a best they can.

Good luck to ya.

[oldbutslow]

Ouch! How much sympathy did you get from the "other half"?

[Ranger]

Today is Pi day, seems like 3.14 each year should be a non riding day. This is the 3rd story I've heard on here today about close calls and now one going down!

Hope you feel better, luckily its just bone and nothing torn or ruptured so recovery shouldn't be too bad (trust me).

Pictures?

[cowboyup3371]

I'm really sorry to hear that Bill, get well soon and you'll be back on the bike before you know it. Any damage to the bike?

[80GS1000]

6 weeks and a bump on your collarbone and you should be OK. How bad is the break?

From someone who's busted the same collarbone twice, find a way to recline while sleeping. Getting up and going down to laying position hurts like #$(#(*$ with a broken clavicle. A recliner is really nice, or get your wife to put a lot of pillows against the headboard in bed so you can recline. Also get one of the slings with a velcro strap to hold your arm against your body so your shoulder doesn't get jostled - it really helps alleviate some of the pain.

[bwringer]

Sorry to hear that, Bill.

I have a very lumpy left clavicle courtesy of an old ATV with no suspension besides big soft tires. Very, very bouncy tires, as I found out. Also a lumpy left femur courtesy of spilled cooking grease...

Recovery is just waiting. Wear your brace and sling as instructed, and don't use that arm. This is tough if you're right-handed.

Be very, very careful if you take narcotic pain pills (there are a zillion brand names). Take as few as possible and wean yourself off them ASAP. For some reason, doctors never really explain this to you, and a lot of people end up hooked, or going through withdrawal without understanding what's happening. Take the colace stool softener if you're taking narcotic pain pills (yes, definitely). You shouldn't need the pain pills for all that long with a collarbone anyway.

Do NOT take ibuprofen or smoke while a bone is healing. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is OK. They make a longer-lasting variety of OTC acetaminophen marketed for "arthritis pain" that works much better than the regular variety.

Get someone to help you drain the carbs on your bike and/or put some Sta-Bil in the gas so you don't need to worry about that.

You should have lots of time to scour eBay for any parts you need...

[hakuin]

Sorry to hear of your spill! Good reminder about the seams and other little surprises the spring heave will give us with our roads here.

I'm sure that the condition of Michigan's roads will continue to follow the State's and Counties budgets...

Hope your recovery is quick, and your bike is in good shape.

[UncleMike]

Recovery is just waiting. Wear your brace and sling as instructed, and don't use that arm. This is tough if you're right-handed.

Be very, very careful if you take narcotic pain pills (there are a zillion brand names). Take as few as possible and wean yourself off them ASAP. For some reason, doctors never really explain this to you, and a lot of people end up hooked, or going through withdrawal without understanding what's happening. Take the colace stool softener if you're taking narcotic pain pills (yes, definitely). You shouldn't need the pain pills for all that long with a collarbone anyway.

Do NOT take ibuprofen or smoke while a bone is healing. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is OK. They make a longer-lasting variety of OTC acetaminophen marketed for "arthritis pain" that works much better than the regular variety.

Couldn't ask for better advice than this. Hope you're not in too much pain and that the setting goes well today.

Good luck!

[DanTheMan]

Hey Bill, sorry to hear of the spill. At least your docs recognized that it's broken, my good Navy docs didn't, so my right shoulder is now permanently missing 3" of the clavicle bone. Like others have said, don't try to do anything with that shoulder until it's knit together. Your signature will look funny for quite awhile too.
Swimming is the best therapy after it's healed, that's what kept mine from getting worse than it is (pushups too).

[2BRacing]

Hi Bill

Sorry to hear about your mishap. Best wishes for speedy healing. I got quite a few broken bones in a bad cage accident many years ago. As soon as I was able, I started to drive again, and overcame the mental "block" before it got hold of me! So I hope you are also up and riding again soon.

[Buffalo Bill]

Thanks for the tips!

Thanks for the tip on the bone knitting Bri. And everybody else too.
Waiting for my appointment today, not much pain, or pain killers.
I can still feel my usual aches and pains real good, I ain't gettin' any benafit from the dope on that stuff. I'm gonna stay dope free mostly, maybe some Asprin will be enough.
Bike has a big black boot scuff up the side and over the tank, road rash, busted master cylinder, bent bar, smashed mirror and the sub frame under that is bent.
Bill
P.S. Just painted this bike in Jan.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Heal quickly Bill. Take it really easy. I'll keep you in my prayers for a while.


All the best to you and yours,

Cliff